Aries (March 20-April 19) — Power is peace within. However much your attention gets drawn to what’s coming at you from ‘outside’, keep this deceptively simple axiom in mind. The more real you are with yourself, the more accepting of where you are in your process, the greater your capacity to act and respond in ways that serve both you and others. The marked shift into the second half of the astrological year becomes more palpable this week. For you, that’s likely to be felt in terms of your relational environment, professional development, and values, security and resources — yours, and those you share with key associates. A transition period is concluding in your professional sphere. Gradually, changes you may have contemplated for months should become easier to implement. Partners of whatever sort appear to be directly involved, and inventive solutions or compromise may be easier to arrive at than you realize. Remember: you are the hub of the wheel. To stay centered, dance with the music and breathe.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — The confluence of factors shifting into gear this week has Work-Life Balance written all over it. Demands on your time or on the job are set to accelerate, and you’re primed to accomplish as much as you can. This coincides with an uptick in your relational sphere. That might include increased communications related to work, while personal relationships also call for attention. You’re generally pretty good at going with the flow. But if you find yourself growing increasingly frustrated in days ahead, pause. Stuffing dissatisfaction will exacerbate the potential for nervous irritability or explosive encounters. Clarify for yourself what you want, and why you want it. If you feel conflicted between satisfying others’ expectations and the need to do your own thing, that’s a conversation worth having. You’re insightful and compassionate enough to respect where they’re coming from, even as your own needs are transforming. Cut through overwhelm by identifying priorities. Make sure self-care is among them.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Joy is an essential nutrient, and you could use a supplement. Creative expression of some kind is one way to fill that requirement. Play in any form that stimulates your imagination and inner vitality, or a bit of romance, will do the trick. Here’s a permission slip, if you need one: it’s good for your nerves. Mercury’s recent sign change will sharpen your mind like a stiletto, and you may be extremely focused on mental work in coming weeks. That same influence also has the potential for generating anxiety, however. Treat yourself like a finely tuned instrument: don’t tighten the strings too much. Other aspects moving into position could exacerbate vague fears or feelings of constraint. Yet your inner child is ready and eager to help out; loosen the reins enough to let it. Remember what’s it’s like to feel special? Get out, see friends and have some fun — your body will thank you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The wheel of this year has turned, and the volume in several areas of your chart will turn up a notch. With conscious awareness, you can leverage pressure to your advantage, but you’ll need to intentionally, and honestly, feel into what’s moving within the depths of your psyche. You could act out patterns or attitudes from the past without realizing it. These tie in somehow with weighty relationship issues that you know call for closure. On the mundane level, work that’s directed toward your living space will serve a dual purpose. One: channeling energy into improving your base of operations, and clearing literal clutter, can symbolically open a gateway toward emotional healing. Two: you’re entering a cycle of emphasis on self-expression. The more room you free up, physically and psychically, the more easily thoughts and creative impulses flow. Let yourself turn inward and regroup. A gentle regard for your private process will pave the way for improved relations all around.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The Observer Effect in quantum physics demonstrates that the mere presence of an observer affects that which is observed. The mind is not a wholly internal affair; it plays a role in determining what we perceive ‘out there’, and which trajectories we activate. Food for thought, as your mental forces are about to launch into warp speed. You might notice a dual focus clicking into gear. On the one hand, your day-to-day pace and need to express ideas is set for ‘Intense’. Work obligations may generate stress that you can minimize by weighing your honest, subjective responses. You’re not powerless in the face of demands, and your primary obligation must be to yourself. As busy as you soon may be, a period of intellectual withdrawal of some kind is also beginning. Working through elements of the past could play a role. Your words have amplified power now. Observe your inner response before speaking, to avoid a potential speedbump just up ahead.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your analytical and expressive prowess is shifting into high gear. At the same time, your focus on values, resources and security will intensify. Discern your bedrock requirements as distinct from desires, and where they might overlap. It’s hard to write The Great American Novel while working 9 to 5. If creative projects you’ve had in mind have been shoved down the priority list, don’t discount what could be a soul-level need for artistic fulfillment. If you’ve been anxious about a relationship with a financial component, consider opening that up for discussion. Insecurities tend to fester and multiply when left unexpressed. Your ruling planet Mercury will be in the zone of your chart most conducive to its expression for nine weeks. A high-voltage current will accelerate your mental tempo, and you should be able to convey exactly what’s necessary, with profound impact now. Words are your tools. Use them wisely. Just don’t let nervous tension lead you to waste them on what you cannot take back.

It has called forth all of my knowledge, experience and wisdom to do this work. I have proceeded in the spirit of therapy, knowing that most people do not or will not go. That spirit first involves seeking refuge, becoming aware of your situation, ordering your priorities, and then making choices. But the single most important factor of therapy — and of old school spiritual mentorship — is not giving answers, but helping the client find them for themselves. What I have to offer you are 12 readings of approximately one hour each, which use astrology to address the matter: the one about how to orient yourself to make the most of the difficult and challenging times we are in.

All 12 signs are currently $111. I am keeping that price low to encourage having access to all of the work. Individual readings are $44 for the first and $22 for each additional.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Get ready for your close-up. This week of this season of this year has money riding on it. You’re emerging in a personal renaissance, and it’s time to step up, gather your courage and dare to ‘be for yourself’, to borrow from Hillel. For years, what you’ve relied on in terms of home, family or foundational security has undergone demolition. Complex gears shifting in your chart point to the essential need to initiate bold strategies for reconstruction. The evolutionary potential in this leg of your journey is greater self-confidence than you’ve ever known. The challenge is conquering old fear patterns and making peace with the past. Your tools are innovation, adaptation and unwavering commitment to your vision. Sustained emphasis on negotiating values and resources will call for your special blend of tenacity and diplomacy. Desire itself generates power and kick-starts creation. Let that momentum propel you. Jupiter’s light at the end of the tunnel will shine soon enough.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your tribe has a reputation for instinctively seeking the truth; picking up clues and following whatever dark and winding trails may lead there. To ‘pierce the veil’ holds power. And possibly danger. The sheer intensity of the experience is alluring enough. When the mystery is yourself, the stakes are even higher. Dynamics affecting your chart indicate your readiness to investigate seriously how you’ve constructed your approach to the world. This learning process has been ongoing; now you’re prepared for more advanced teachings. The mirror held up by your relational environment may offer surprises, in terms of how you identify yourself with reference to others. Cleansing the doors of perception can be a messy job. But you’re not the type to be satisfied with superficial answers. As your solar year wraps up, look with new eyes at attitudes and assumptions you’ve taken for granted. Your inner, psychic depths are active now. Remember to remember your dreams; they could be especially revealing.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The quest to reconcile long-term goals with nuts and bolts necessities enters a new phase this week. Mercury, planet of cognition and expression, enters the most private inner sanctum of your chart, for an extended tour. A door to deeper self-knowledge opens. The more you “make the unconscious conscious,” the less at the mercy of external events you’ll feel. Motivations and imprints you’ve responded to without realizing it should be easier to grasp. Obviously, this is invaluable for charting your course. You might be more withdrawn for a while; inclined to keep thoughts to yourself. Just don’t withhold communication that’s actually necessary, as Mercury’s influence overlaps with a period of amped-up social engagement. This could be work-related, with groups or colleagues who share your ideals and can help further your objectives. Balancing the need for introspection with your drive to push ahead is the challenge. Remember, you’re playing the long game here: restructuring key facets of your material world.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — To undergo a change of form: that’s been your task for over a decade. It’s confronted you with aspects of your psyche that most avoid at all costs. You’ve been challenged to rise from the ashes of self-concepts you’ve outgrown. Daunting stuff, but consider all you’ve been through as the path to your highest destiny. This week marks a turning point along that trajectory. An opportunity is at hand to examine more closely how you want to express yourself in the world, and to fine-tune your approach. You can achieve a great deal professionally now, and the more you work independently, the less friction you’ll encounter. You’re entering a high-visibility zone; what you say and do will be “on the record,” so bear that in mind. Inspired, creative solutions are possible, but you’ll need to play well with others to get there. An extended review of your overall goals, and the ideals behind them, also commences now. Don’t be afraid to seek counsel from those you trust.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Astrophysicists say dark matter makes up 85% of the physical universe. But it’s invisible. We only can only measure its effect on what we see. That’s how the most influential astrology of our time impacts your chart. Massive tectonic plates are shifting deep underground, in the most buried regions of your psyche. But you might pick up clues about what’s transforming in there over the coming days. Most people aren’t especially conscious of how their beliefs shape their experience. But pay attention to any friction that registers with respect to concepts you encounter, such as challenges to your world-view or to your assumptions. This might arise in an educational setting of some kind. If an idea makes you uncomfortable but you’re not sure why, look deeper. Another note to listen for may come via your public role. Career-related plans, perhaps communications in professional settings, will dominate much of your attention for a while. Challenges between your public persona and radical changes at home could prompt awakenings.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — There is struggle, and there’s intent. Aspirations dear to your soul may have felt increasingly remote, but that fog is clearing and you seem to be waking up to an urgency to move forward. Conflict around financing your goals may register high on your emotional radar in days ahead. Dig deeper and you’ll discover that the matter is one of confidence. Where there’s desire, there’s power. That’s the flipside of fear. You’re well-positioned to question insecurities now, and to integrate what you discover. This will help you to dismantle patterns that have held you back. More than anyone, you understand the role of belief in creating experience. It’s time to air out your mind. Break up routines that keep your thought patterns locked into place. Inspiration is stalking you, so make yourself available. Feed your spirit: visit the bookstore or museum, or look into a subject that you’ve thought of but just haven’t gotten to. This prepares the ground for your work that lies ahead.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — If things are a little tense just now between you and someone close, take care to separate out facts from speculation. That is, treat what has actually been said and done as distinct from anything you might be guessing at. Figuring out where the line is drawn isn’t always easy, especially when strong emotions are involved, so use caution. In particular, notice when you could be projecting certain thoughts or motives, for which you have no clear evidence, onto a partner. Consider where this might ultimately come from.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You’re in a busier frame of mind than usual, and appear to be especially focused on one specific purpose. Your first port of call is likely to involve preparing the ground. Consider what needs to be done, plan out as far as possible the details of how you’ll arrive at your goal, and start getting organized. It’s useful to make sure your path is cleared of any foreseeable snags that might otherwise trip you up. That includes arranging your time and surroundings so as to make the work you want to do more accessible.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Early next week, the Sun will enter the sector of your chart most closely linked with creativity and fun. You may find you are gaining in confidence, and thus more comfortable with the idea of taking your mind in a new direction. If you’re up for an adventure, seizing that particular opportunity may well be of enormous benefit to you. You’ve recently put in a lot of hours, and could probably use a change of scene. To begin with, try experimenting with moving routines around, or going to different places. Follow where your instincts lead.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Remember that you are not merely a product of past events in your life, nor of the people you’ve encountered, beneficial or otherwise. Your character is informed by the choices you make. Understanding how you have been influenced by your history is certainly useful, in helping you rise above it; just as recognizing how you’ve reacted previously, and why, can assist you to make any changes that are necessary. However, your past does not define you nearly so much as your actions and decisions in the present moment.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your mind is a fertile ground in which a variety of interesting ideas can be induced to blossom and grow. You seem to be in the mood to take the seed of a thought and run with it, letting it develop as it will, and following the trail of curiosity like a child on a treasure hunt. This is likely to be an excellent time to pursue a new course of study, or just inspire yourself by experiencing people and scenes. Wherever you happen to be, practice soaking in the environment and being alive to what is going on around you, and keep a notepad handy.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Pay close attention to the state of your body and mind, in order to understand how you’re truly feeling. You may need to expend some effort to prevent old mental habits from reasserting themselves, or certain doubts from imposing on you. If you stay actively in tune with yourself, the chances are you’ll have a much more accurate picture of what is really the case, and where you are in the here and now. Your hard-won gains are still your own, and thanks largely to your grit in previous trials, you contain the strength of giants.

It has called forth all of my knowledge, experience and wisdom to do this work. I have proceeded in the spirit of therapy, knowing that most people do not or will not go. That spirit first involves seeking refuge, becoming aware of your situation, ordering your priorities, and then making choices. But the single most important factor of therapy — and of old school spiritual mentorship — is not giving answers, but helping the client find them for themselves. What I have to offer you are 12 readings of approximately one hour each, which use astrology to address the matter: the one about how to orient yourself to make the most of the difficult and challenging times we are in.

All 12 signs are currently $111. I am keeping that price low to encourage having access to all of the work. Individual readings are $44 for the first and $22 for each additional.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — As we prepare to enter your birthday season, you may be feeling somewhat raw with the potency of recent experiences. Yet your newfound sensitivity is a useful gift amid the coolness and indifference in our present surroundings. The flame of your compassion burns brightly and draws toward it many who are hungry for warmth. One of the greatest joys of sharing your own is that the heat and light can only multiply. Another is the nourishing effect on you, as you connect with others at the heart-level.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) –During this week, at least, you are likely to come up against the question of what comprises your most fundamental and personal spiritual tenets. This is on a plane far removed from those gushy memes frequently shared on social media. It’s also unlikely to be what prompts you to attend religious services or yoga class. Rather, it pertains to the deeply held faith you rarely, if at all, share publicly; the principles you cleave to in all weathers. What is the ultimate truth of who you are, when all the masks and layers come off?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Your friends are a vital part of your existence. Everyone’s friendship group is unique, and can represent many different facets of that person. Each pairing within it has its own history and reasons for developing. These may not be the disproportionately hallowed bonds of a monogamous partnership; yet their worth is incalculable. Cherish every member of your circle both as an individual, with all their depth and beauty, and as a reflection of yourself. Take opportunities to spend time with them, and to show them what they mean to you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Keep consolidating the progress you’ve made in recent weeks by handling your decisions with maturity, and recognizing what you have gained. You are to your former self much as a generation to its ancestors: you look at your environment with fresh eyes, and have almost an innate comprehension of what you need to do in order to move things forward. You can respect your past experiences and choices for having helped you reach the wisdom you now possess. Now it’s time to focus on the future, and altogether new territory.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Given the judgments often laid on us throughout our lives, it is understandable if we sometimes think of ourselves as less than we really are. This can include feeling as if there’s little point to working on our growth. Yet in truth the human mind is astonishingly flexible, and yours is no exception. You contain the capacity, as everyone else does, to develop your potential, expand your horizons and become the best version of yourself. These gifts are within everyone’s reach, however long the journey takes. Count yourself in.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Regardless of what other people expect of you, or however much they try to mold you into their rigid categories, they cannot change or shape who you are. Your personal integrity belongs to you. If you’re feeling any self-doubt, therefore, take comfort: you remain the sole scriptwriter for your character, and the only expert on all its richness, complexity and wonder. Those around you will see what they see, though remember this is a reflection of themselves. The center of your being is guarded by the light of the Divine as well as by you. Nobody else can reach it.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Yours is a tribe of action; the courageous pursuit of personal fulfillment. This involves risk and requires passion. Your journey has surely led down many paths, each with gifts of wisdom for those who seek it. This year’s long-running square between Jupiter and Neptune has opened doors to deeper spiritual awareness, and planted seeds of wisdom worth cultivating. You’re carving out a new path, with more of yourself to bring to it. We’re heading into a super-charged Full Moon right now and you’ll need to tune in deliberately, to ascertain which paths to follow and what action is wise. It’s a Slippery-When-Wet few days, when risky action of any kind is unadvisable. Frustration, confusion, discouragement or self-doubt are all possible under these conditions. But a karmic wave of sorts is breaking, and profoundly transformative insights are just as likely. Pay extra attention to dreams this weekend. Inner focus now will help you take advantage of a major shift coming up, one that clears the tracks for forward motion in worldly pursuits.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — To believe is to create. That’s Metaphysics 101: the causative power of concentrated thought. The stronger the emotion attached to a belief, the more intense the momentum. This works both ways, of course. Doubt — in your right to experience what you desire, or in its possibility — inhibits that creative force. The trick is to be on the same page with yourself; to get out of your own way. You can’t get what you want ‘till you know what you want, as the song goes. Distilling that into its essential core will help you navigate the deep waters rising over this Full Moon weekend. Long-term goals are in the spotlight, and you’ve got more resources than you might realize with which to actualize them. You don’t have to figure out details about the ‘how’ of it right now. It’s more important to clarify your actual intentions, and note where fears or doubts crop up. This is a gentle, feel-your-way process. Be patient with yourself, and those you wish to travel with into the future.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Your need for private, inward focus — for healing and deep emotional processing — may have been waylaid more than it should. Your public role and relational environment have demanded time and attention, and this weekend’s Full Moon brings much of that pressure to a head. Give yourself permission to actually feel what you feel, but recognize the difference between you and your emotions. This is no time to push yourself, get too down on yourself, or have that extra drink, especially if you’re ‘operating heavy machinery’. The good news is the palpable shift immediately after that wave crests; as the weekend concludes you should start to feel a little lighter. Assembly-line mentality dominates our culture, but to stay sane you’ve got to take time for yourself and have some fun. As much as you possibly can, carve out space for some R and R next week. An important opportunity to stock up on good vibes is closer than you think.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You might have had a bit too much to think. Between demands on the job, a packed schedule and overwhelming mental busy-ness, you could be running on fumes yet unable to stop. As one especially sensitive to lunar cycles, do yourself a favor and slow down. Don’t try to figure anything out right now. A potential for frustrating, confusing or dispiriting exchanges — or interior dialogue — is possible over this Full Moon weekend. Heightened emotional reactivity is familiar territory, but no running with scissors for a few days, OK? Let emotion flow without turning a mood into a manifesto. A reality-check and encouraging word from a solid companion can make a huge difference now, so don’t feel you need to go it alone. The less pressure you place on yourself, the more you’ll be able to tap your psychic reservoir for inner guidance that’s trying to get through. You need time on the proverbial mountain. Your inner world will look considerably brighter as soon as you come down.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The dramatic Full Moon clicking into gear illuminates your innermost psychic depths. The last several weeks have emphasized security issues — what you need to feel safe, and practical methods for strengthening material and emotional resources. You’re also in a cycle of expansive creativity and self-expression, and with it increased confidence in shining your true light out into the world. What’s coming to a head this weekend may feel like a confusing dilemma: risk versus safety, optimism versus worry, art versus paying the bills. Your fears may well be exaggerated, but you’re wise to take real time this weekend to turn within and let yourself feel what’s calling for attention. What have you avoided? The more honest you are with yourself, the more you value and invest in the process, the greater the potential for meaningful revelation. An element of healing weaves in here. Mentors, or renewed commitment to healthy routines, can provide much needed stability.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The Sun entered your sign this year with a powerful message of rebirth. This is an ongoing process of integration, of making-whole, and of emergence into a fundamentally more empowered sense of self. This weekend’s Full Moon asks you to feel into what part of your soul you’ve handed over to others, and the role anger plays in healing what might feel lost. You may have been striving for inner security in terms of an idealized relationship. Or seeking to reconcile the past with a series of confusing impressions that have ricocheted without satisfying resolution or clarity. Letting yourself explore this in some tangible, creative form can be profoundly helpful right now. If you’re in the early stages of a romantic relationship, it may be possible to move through challenging territory for the sake of creating a more solid, honest encounter. Ultimately, however, this is about your relationship with yourself. You’re on the verge of turning an important corner. The enhanced self-esteem that awaits is just the beginning.

It has called forth all of my knowledge, experience and wisdom to do this work. I have proceeded in the spirit of therapy, knowing that most people do not or will not go. That spirit first involves seeking refuge, becoming aware of your situation, ordering your priorities, and then making choices. But the single most important factor of therapy — and of old school spiritual mentorship — is not giving answers, but helping the client find them for themselves. What I have to offer you are 12 readings of approximately one hour each, which use astrology to address the matter: the one about how to orient yourself to make the most of the difficult and challenging times we are in.

All 12 signs are currently $111. I am keeping that price low to encourage having access to all of the work. Individual readings are $44 for the first and $22 for each additional.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Transiting Jupiter in your chart has sought to re-wire limiting thought patterns, and inspire a more expansive view of the future. You have something to say. Yet certain projects, perhaps related to writing or education, could be hovering in limbo. Demands on your time, your job, or maybe health issues have kept intentions on hold. The real culprit seems related to self-esteem, however. A build-up of psychic pressure just beneath the conscious threshold may register as vague anxieties: fears or frustrations that haven’t been fully processed. This should start dissipating just after the Full Moon. Forward motion on several fronts is set to commence, so to ride the currents to best advantage, tend to ‘where you live’. This includes your actual home, family history, and old baggage you’ve put up with that’s weighing you down. Your new solar year approaches, and it’s time to clear the ground for rebuilding foundations, literally and figuratively. Every step in this direction will help kick-start new beginnings, sooner than you think.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Creative instinct flows from the well of fantasy. The imagination plays with the object it loves, to borrow from Carl Jung. The light of this weekend’s Full Moon illuminates your inventive gifts, and aspirations you may have harbored for projects rich with potential. The challenge is bringing that dream into tangible form. Recent focus on future goals might have bounced with dizzying speed between an idealized concept or romantic vision, and grounded, rational analysis. Professional or creative allies factor in here, which has presented its own challenges. If you encounter what feels like unduly harsh criticism, don’t be discouraged. Emotions are especially heightened right now, and you may tune into your muse more effectively without others around anyway. Communicate with those involved with as little judgment as possible, and/or get some of that inspiration down in written form, to mid-wife your dream. Note: exercise caution this weekend regarding recreational substances. This is not a good time to take chances.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Constraints are essential to genuine creativity. Courageous encounter with a problem sparks an alchemical process, setting conscious and unconscious forces in motion to form something new. Jupiter traveling through your sign this year has surely expanded your world in gratifying ways. Yet that quest for freedom and self-discovery has rubbed against slippery emotional history involving your past, your home, and your innermost private world. To the extent that you’ve established some personal sanctuary, a sacred space where you can retreat and commune, you’re in good shape. If you’ve felt undermined, or pressured to sacrifice your needs for family, look to what you honestly value. Denial or escape from what’s buried keeps you stuck. Recent intense activity related to your public role has likely brought this tension into sharp relief. This Full Moon brings it to a boil. You may have worldly commitments, but your power lies in quiet, meditative reflection now. Your inner being has wisdom to deliver. Note: Stay in or stay sober this weekend. Or both.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Sift the sands of your past for the lessons of value. They are your precious jewels and gifts of power. It’s gritty work, but archeology of the soul is your highest calling at this moment. Saturn, your ruling planet, hovers stationary in your sign, to resume forward motion next week. This weekend’s Full Moon is a prelude to a pivotal act in the drama of your life, and on the world stage. You’re well positioned to rise to the challenge. It requires honest examination of what may be unearthed, and the courage to feel, process and release what keeps you shackled to a self that you’ve outgrown. Dynamics in your chart right now speak of creative tension between conscious belief and intuitive wisdom. Your transformational journey has tested you to the limit, but you’ve developed strength you might not have thought possible. Most importantly, you seem to be asking the right questions, and are capable of opening to answers that feel true in your gut. That’s the metric to trust.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — What’s most important to you? That’s what describes your ‘values’. What deserves your attention, time and care, and occupies the highest place on your priority list? Friction between your own personal values (and security) and those of your community has been a theme this year. Your tribe has a reputation for independence, a certain ‘rebel’ cachet, but that requires a commitment to your personal truth that’s hard won. On a mundane level, the question has been how to reconcile idealistic aspirations for the future with available resources. Recently, that conversation has deepened to include those values and resources you may hold in common with partners, and reaches into highly sensitive psychic territory. This weekend’s Full Moon brings this tension to a head. You’ll navigate potentially contentious waters best by stepping back and taking as gentle and intuitive an approach as possible. Table financial decisions for a few days. Honest conversations about what may have been unacknowledged, fears or unexpressed needs, might be in order.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Dreaming-awake is a high art. It requires training yourself to become aware that you’re asleep; to realize consciously that you are dreaming. Then you can direct the dream with volition, and create a new reality in the physical, waking world. We’re heading into a positively oceanic Full Moon in your sign, a deep dive into Neptune’s realm. One over-arching theme conveyed is the need to retrieve essential aspects of your psyche that you’ve invested in relationships. You have a mission in this life, and you need all of yourself in the game. Your tribe is so acutely sensitive, and navigating this world can scathe your fine-tuned instrument to the point of shutting down. But you’ve ‘grown sick of shadows’, and have no desire to float down-river like the tragic Lady of Shalott. It’s time to come home. This emotional high tide is an opportunity to re-set, to heal old wounds in order to move forward. Honor this process. Your dharma calls you to bring forth your gifts to the world.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — What you experience day to day can add up over time. If you study or practice something a little each day, you would probably improve more quickly than if you did it sporadically. If you have frequent moments of enjoyment, these contribute to your overall wellbeing. Likewise, if you consistently encounter a particular source of stress, however small, that can accumulate until it becomes a problem in need of addressing. Consider the patterns of your daily life; notice how you feel about them; and if there’s anything you need to change, now’s your opportunity.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — In our present environment, the concept of risk has altered almost beyond recognition. Many people are happily laying open details of their lives on social media, while being afraid to open up about what they really think, feel and want. Over the next few days, you may benefit from taking up an opportunity that might feel a little risky. I’m not suggesting you abseil down the Grand Canyon. This is more along the lines of talking frankly to someone, going to an unfamiliar place, or considering an idea that may seem out of bounds. Think of it as an experiment, and be bold.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Are you content in your present home? You may find you’re getting a sense of wanderlust, or a desire to move location. Even if you think that would be difficult as you’re currently placed, try tracing your feelings to their source, if only to understand what’s behind them. It’s possible a few small alterations are all that’s necessary to refresh you, or that going to one or two new places could satisfy your desire to explore. Then again, you might need to consider more significant changes. Be honest with yourself, and hold space for your wishes and ideas.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your intuition can generally be trusted to lead you right when it comes to interacting with and making sense of your fellow humans. Just be aware that everyone has days when interference from your mind or body can tamper with the signal, and it’s useful to have a backup plan. Also, it’s worth considering that others around you may be operating on a different wavelength, though if all parties are looking to communicate openly and honestly, they will eventually reach an understanding. By contrast, if someone has a hidden agenda, that’s far less likely to happen.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — What do you expect of yourself, and are those expectations appropriate and fair? These are questions you may need to ask this week. Notice the difference between pursuing dreams and aspirations, on the one hand, and on the other pushing yourself harder than what is reasonable. In order to make progress, you don’t have to work 100 hours a week, or take on roles for which you don’t have the necessary training. Instead, set goals that are practicable, and take into account your physical and mental health. As you do, keep in contact with your body and emotions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your sign continues to be in the astrological spotlight this week. You seem to have come a long way in a short time, though in reality you’ve been doing the groundwork for months to years. What’s happening now is almost certainly a culmination of your efforts and persistence. It’s important that you take time to enjoy the fruits of your success, though equally you don’t want to stop there. Personal growth is a lifelong endeavor. So celebrate yourself, and at the same time continue to feed your desires, your curiosity, and your most profound aspirations.

In These Times Autumn Reading by Eric Francis

Individual Signs: Astrology That’s Better Than Therapy.

Dear Friend and Reader:

You might have noticed that the world is in upheaval, which is both coming from, and feeding into, personal challenges: that out of control, crazy feeling of what the holy heck is happening and where is this all going and what am I doing? This will be the theme of my Autumn Reading, called In These Times — which I am about to begin recording.

Although I conceive of this project as a set of 12 interrelated segments, I realize that some people prefer to focus only on the one or two signs they resonate with most strongly. To accommodate that preference, I am now opening up the pre-order phase for individual signs of In These Times.

This option tends to be particularly useful if you’d like to give the reading as a gift to a friend, relative or colleague — which many of our customers do.

“Uncanny. Wow. Totally on point. So much so, I bought readings for my daughter, cousin and a friend as gifts.”

— Glinda W., on the 2019 Spring Readings

My individual sign readings are designed to be a source of motivation and inspiration: they’re about what is right with you. I talk about how to best use your resources and your abilities, and making peace with who you are and what you want.

And you can still purchase the full set of all 12 signs for $99 (final price upon publication will be $111). Costing less than half a therapy session for all 12, these readings will point you toward your source of guidance, comfort and sanity. I will take a light touch covering the intense Capricorn astrology, and the current Virgo astrology, tailored for each of the signs.

Delivery is anticipated for early September.

In These Times is included with the Backstage Pass and the Galaxy Pass. If you upgrade, it will come with your new membership. If you have one of those levels, please consider extending the reading as a gift to someone who needs it.

Thank you for your purchase, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

With love,

PS — You may place your order by phone, by calling (206) 567-4455. If someone does not answer we will call you back promptly, next day at the latest.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — During the past few weeks you’ve likely encountered old or deep material on more than one occasion. This is probably going to take some working through; as you do that, please remember to be kind to yourself, and to notice how you feel without judging, as much as possible. Keep records, and pay attention to dreams and intuitive signals. These may be a source of creative inspiration for you, as well as indicators of your state of mind. After the Full Moon on the 14th, any tension that may have built up should begin to dissipate.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Currently we all have to work to maintain our understanding of nuance. One allure of certainty is that it’s easy; it requires no striving for resolution, no challenge. Another is it offers something you can cling to for reassurance. However, maintaining an open mind on any subject allows you to learn more, feed your curiosity, and appreciate the subtlety and variety of human life. This, of course, involves being honest with yourself, and admitting when you don’t know something, which is not presently in fashion, though it tends to far better outcomes. Also, where possible, keep the atmosphere friendly.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — When you consider who you want to become, and what you aspire to, whose wishes are you following? If you’re not certain they’re entirely your own, it may be time for a review. Everyone has a unique path, and part of self-actualization is pursuing it regardless of what others think. Only you can know what you’re truly capable of, how you feel, and what you desire most passionately. Only you can determine the nature of your dreams, and set your goals in accord with them. And ultimately, only you can steer along the course of your journey.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If you’ve been feeling somewhat stuck intellectually or in terms of your aspirations, and are perhaps unsure quite what to do next, this would seem an excellent time to seek and receive inspiration. The process of forming new concepts or aims is usually helped immensely by fresh stimuli — such as variety in people, places or experiences. Make a point of learning or doing something new as often as you can, as a way of keeping yourself awake. Persist even if you think you’re not getting far, because you’ll probably be moving a lot quicker than you realize.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You’re likely processing a lot of internal material at present, so be sure to take as much time and space as you need. Go easy on yourself as far as possible. Your astrology suggests this is not necessarily a project you need to undergo alone. If you feel the need to reach out to someone, it could help you communicate emotions that might otherwise remain hidden. Also, don’t hesitate to focus the power of your analytical mind. Though logic can’t explain everything, it can certainly prove a useful tool in examining the source of feelings and ideas.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Relationships of any sort are sustained by trust. If you’re confused about where a partner is coming from, there are a number of methods of gaining illumination. One is to ask them outright what you want to know. Another is to give the benefit of the doubt, at least until the current oppositions to Neptune have passed. Practicing clarity, openness and truth in your own communications is almost always helpful. Honesty is like a bright light that disperses fog, regardless of who shines it; and once seen, others will likely find it easier to reflect back to you.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — To be ‘In the Zone’ is a type of heightened awareness. Physical, mental and emotional focus all sync up to engage the task at hand so totally, that you tune out everything but the present moment, and enter a peak state through which you access optimal potential. The term was popularized in the sporting world, and athletes train rigorously in order to enter that state. You’re in a profound process of re-fashioning your world; peeling away what you’ve outgrown, and building strong foundations based upon values that reflect more of who you really are. ‘The Zone’ awaits you with open arms, and with the right approach you can make important strides in coming days. Organization and discipline are your primary tools — from there, follow your excitement. Working partnerships can be golden now. Healthy routines matter. Don’t stress over the goal, but don’t lose sight of practicality. This is your Tao of Zone for a while. Ideas are stalking you. — By Victoria Emory

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Look up the expression “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” and you’ll find approximately zero references to your sign. Yet Uranus is slow-walking your own private revolution, to liberate you from limiting self-concepts that you might not even realize were there. You’re entering a powerful phase of creative discovery to help propel you in this direction. The genius of a child at play beckons, and the more you make room for a bit of joyful abandon, the more you’ll be able to catch that ride. Creative projects should prove especially satisfying now; experimenting with self-expression in all forms has the potential for inspiring originality that can surprise even yourself. Enriching social encounters are equally possible, big time. Exciting frontiers may be explored even with partners of long standing. But you must give yourself permission. Look up ‘Think Outside the Box’ and you’ll find approximately every reason to do so. To feel alive — isn’t that reason enough? — By Victoria Emory

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You’re on the cusp of what can be a profound period of psychic integration and healing. Several aspect patterns repeat this message in coming days, and it’s an opportunity to take seriously. Make yourself available by allowing yourself to withdraw from the constant drone of business as usual, as much as you can. Your roots, your past, your home and everything this means to you is the prime material you’re working with. Aspects of your psyche are lining up to facilitate a kind of alchemical marriage, a union of opposing forces out of which a new birth is possible: a transformation that opens doors to greater wisdom and wholeness, on a foundational level. Gentle self-care will help. Paying attention to dreams will, too. This is a deeply personal process, but it’s also possible to bring domestic partnerships to a place of greater depth and harmony at this time. Invite significant others along for the ride. — By Victoria Emory

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your mind has been firing on all cylinders lately, and that pace is about to accelerate. You may have noticed more energized identification with your ideas and especially forceful expression recently, but a window is opening through which your ability to perceive and express yourself can come from a place of unusual harmony: a balance between promoting your own agenda, and sensitivity to the relational environment, that will serve you well. Intense mental activity and focus on communications will increase in coming days; brilliant flashes of insight and original ideas are possible now, but so is nervous tension. Getting your body moving will help focus your mind and dissipate anxiety. Just a quick walk around the neighborhood can make the difference between enhanced mental prowess and thoughtless impulsivity. Added bonus: you could encounter unexpected inspiration along the way. — By Victoria Emory

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The words ‘value’ and ‘valor’ derive from a common root meaning strength. Courage. Worth. Keep this in mind as your focus on material resources increases in coming days. Your ability to attract what you require is blending in rare harmony with your will to go boldly after it. This works to your obvious advantage, and you may be able to reconnect with professional opportunities that were exciting a few months back, but since fell off the radar. Lay the groundwork, put out feelers and get organized. As the month winds down, leading up to and through next week’s New Moon, excellent openings become available to connect with those who can further your interests. Like attracts like; remember that your power derives from inherent belief in your own worth. Proceed with a grounded, methodical approach, centered in your natural courage. — By Victoria Emory

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The wisdom-language of myth conjures a powerful image for your year ahead: the divine conception of the heroic — the extraordinary virgin birth. This motif recurs throughout ancient lore, and is far from unique to Christianity. The solar rays first penetrate your sign tomorrow as the symbolic male and female forces (Mars and Venus) unite. The message indicates a rebirth from a place of psychic wholeness; a profound transformation; a potential to become your own hero. The hero’s strength balances courage with love; that’s how she or he overcomes obstacles and vanquishes darkness. Don’t worry; you don’t have to understand this with your mind alone. For now, simply focus on personal priorities, honor your body and psyche with care, and take time to recharge. This week’s astrology brings another theme that repeats at next week’s New Moon: this rebirth holds electrifying opportunities to expand your world in exciting ways. — By Victoria Emory

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — That’s quite a relationship you’ve got happening offstage, in the back of your mind; perhaps so far back it’s a secret even from yourself. But that’s where the action is, which is ramping up, so pay attention. What’s playing out is easier to feel than to point at directly, so start there. Your ruling planet Venus has slipped behind the curtain to hook up with Mars in the most hidden, unconscious corner of your chart, and the Sun’s presence spotlights their rendezvous. The direct current running between them and another, deeply personal, psychic center conveys a message of intense desire, perhaps denied, and working through emotional history that’s been swept under the carpet. The good news is that you’re wired for awakening, and relationship issues that might have haunted you are ripe for resolution. The more you balance inner work with attention to your body, the more fruitful the process will be. Self-esteem and physical wellbeing are inseparable. — By Victoria Emory

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — What do relationships and lightning have in common? For starters, they’re both intense agents of transformation, and can strike without warning. Uranus, the ‘Great Awakener,’ has begun work on your relational environment to shake things up; it’s testing what works, what needs revision, and is presenting you with opportunities to learn that only the mirror of relating to others can. Your focus on future goals, and those who can help you realize them, is gathering momentum, and indicators as to how partnerships may factor in should flash across your screen in days ahead. Whether professional, intimate, platonic or some combination of each, tune your radar for connections that could play a significant role. You tend to keep what’s going on inside pretty well concealed; just don’t play games. Regardless of what’s involved, remember that trust is the basis for any worthwhile relationship. — By Victoria Emory

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Professional aspirations will command your attention with increasing intensity in days ahead, and opportunities to reignite projects that have been on hold might seem to come out of the blue. What’s in play is infused with an unusual degree of harmony between creative vision and hard-nosed will to succeed, and career-related partnerships may prove as personally enriching as they are productive. The potential for significant achievement is real, so don’t let passing annoyances related to finances throw you off your game. Attention to detail and organized, grounded, cooperative efforts are the ticket now. Use this week to prepare and connect with colleagues, so that by the New Moon at month’s end you’ll be in position to go full speed. Heavy demands on your time and mental energies require conscientious self-care; the more in tune you are physically, the more you’ll enjoy the ride. Prepare to be seen. — By Victoria Emory

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Location, location, location. Each has its own energetic signature, complete with unique probable timelines for any given series of events. Scheduled programming is bound to be a great deal more interesting on a different station than what you’re usually tuned to, so adjust your dial accordingly. You needn’t travel far, or even at all, in terms of spatial distance, but you’ll expand your world in delicious ways by deliberately breaking up established routines and giving yourself permission to journey with your mind. It’s Back-To-School season in the Northern Hemisphere, and if you’ve harbored any educational aspirations, now’s the time to follow through. Even picking up a book you’ve thought about and re-arranging your normal schedule can lead to surprisingly uplifting experiences. If literal travel is an option, get packing. You need to explore some new territory. — By Victoria Emory

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Desire; secrets; power; fear; deep, soul-level intimacy and transformation: that’s the terrain emphasized in your chart right now, and the intensity will magnify. An opening for profound, psychic integration and healing is available, which extends into the subterranean reaches of your past and most private, inner world. Whatever this instinctually triggers for you is the place to start. If you think you’ve been there, done that, there’s likely more going on beneath the surface than you’re allowing yourself to notice. Emotionally honest exploration can clear the path to a new chapter in your relationships: to yourself, to your sexuality and to domestic or intimate partners — past and future. Self-esteem and security programming weaves into all of this material, and is ripe for resolution. On a lighter note, significant encounters are also possible now, intimate or professional. Whatever the particulars may include, the impact should be illuminating. — By Victoria Emory

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This time of year always highlights your relational environment, but you’re at the threshold of an especially powerful cycle right now. Over-arching themes involve integrating opposing psychic forces, within the framework of partnership: the outgoing, courageous and ego-oriented ‘yang’ with the receptive, sensitive and relationally oriented ‘yin.’ Whatever your circumstances, a renaissance in relations with others is possible; including your relationship with yourself. Opportunities are available for rich encounters that spark surprising insights and lead to original, transformative communications. Work undertaken for mutually fulfilling reasons, professionally or personally, should be especially gratifying. Note where any self-worth issues get activated: a message of healing informs this cycle, and it’s a fine time to undertake work with a trusted counselor, if appropriate. To open in trust to another involves risk, but your greatest evolution is impossible without it. This is no time to go it alone. — By Victoria Emory

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You’ve had to fight for your right to party. Like a hawk soaring on an updraft, you’ve had a few recent moments to catch your breath and take in the view from a higher perspective. If you’re feeling optimistic one minute, vaguely anxious the next, remember that even calmer waters call for skillful navigation. After several rocky months and withdrawn focus on past or domestic issues, you’re emerging to train your sights on the future. This includes reviewing changes in material security and adjusting what’s necessary to create the freedom you seek. Professional and domestic concerns might have been so overwhelming lately as to eclipse an underlying need, now ripe for attention: to free your mind; to feed your soul; to seek truth. Inner prompts toward study, spiritual development, writing or travel should be taken seriously. Make the quest real by homing in on one idea you’re really drawn to, and take the first step. With focus, the creative potential in such a path is immense. — By Victoria Emory

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Each evolutionary process has milestones, and Uranus moving through your house of self-identity can deliver some memorable jolts. But the revolutionary changes this transit implies take seven years to play out (give or take), and you’ll have six months to review what’s been stirred, after Uranus (the Great Awakener) stations retrograde on Sunday. Jupiter turns direct the same day, lending powerful support to what looks like a propitious stage of integration. A nine-month cycle involving relationships also wraps up now, on fertile soil to sow seeds for a new stage of relating: to partners, your past, your family and to your own desires. Your foundations, literal and psychic, are well synced at the moment. A lot’s going on inside and below ground, so take a few weeks to turn within and re-group. If your living space needs an upgrade, resources should be easier to tap. Envision goals with an eye toward practical strategies, and you’ll soon emerge with considerable creative fire to take deliberate action. — By Victoria Emory

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — After months of ponderous focus on personal security — and how other people factor into it — you can finally begin to make progress in important relationships with less overwhelming emphasis on power dynamics, or mercantile concerns. The game changes on Sunday, though you might have picked up a few recent, uplifting clues. Both your mind and schedule look pretty jammed, but the tempo is set to accelerate, so guard against overwhelm. Communication and relationship patterns are in re-set mode, in a sense, and opportunities to re-energize key relationships, personal and professional, hold significant promise. New connections are also possible now, if you’re interested. Just proceed with eyes open. There’s a potential for over-idealized projections, or compulsion/obsession, in all relations, including career-related. Would you prefer enriching, creative partnerships or vagueness and fantasy? Honesty and discernment will steer you right. — By Victoria Emory

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You’re an alchemist. You may not realize it, but the challenges you’ve faced this year, the bruises as well as victories, have all been integral to a heroic transformation of your self-identity: the dissolution of old patterns, and distillation, refinement and re-creation of how you manifest in this world. A stage of re-building and solidification clicks in now, and magnificent power is at your disposal to establish the material base you require. To channel that power most effectively, you’ll need to clarify priorities and systematically focus on specific facets of your overall project. Map out practical, step-by-step strategies, and stick to the outline. If you need a job, or an assistant, or additional skills, The Force is with you. Just be disciplined in your approach. A pitfall to avoid is the potential to scatter your energies in far-flung schemes, or getting sidetracked by dreamy projections far into the future. Use that wealth of creative vision to identify concrete objectives. Then stay on course. — By Victoria Emory

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Your power to work creatively and courageously through any challenge is infinitely more accessible than it’s been for months, so don’t let a stalled professional project drag your speed. Whatever’s in play needs to be re-worked in some way, and you’ve got plenty of mojo to do your own thing. You’re emerging in a personal renaissance, and seeds planted now are charged with a fortunate ray. Mercury exits the shadows to enter your sign this week, so prepare to accelerate. The more you focus on creative projects, self-expression and objective self-examination, the less you’ll dissipate forces through buzzing all over the place. So much fire’s flowing through you these days; capture sparks of inspiration and put them to use, just don’t burn yourself out. Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, your life is your canvas, and more optimistic, invigorating winds are headed in your direction. Note: Play and creative exploration should be potent, revitalizing elixirs now. Excessive indulgence would have quite a different effect. — By Victoria Emory

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Where do you feel most connected; that inner sense of belonging and security at the root of your being? For nine months you’ve had the opportunity, perhaps necessity, to consider the question from a higher perspective. It’s been a powerful cycle of inner growth, making peace with your past, your family, and your own sense of self. Externally, Jupiter’s transit through the foundation of your chart can express in terms of ‘home improvement’; if you’ve wanted to get that ball rolling, this week’s direct station will help clear that path. The real action in your chart is very much internal, however: primarily focused in terms of working through a specific relationship issue. A great deal of your energy’s been wrapped up there. It’s human nature to romanticize the past or idealize partners, but the more honest you are with yourself, the more you allow emotion to move, the more you’ll reclaim parts of you that have been trapped. Several convergent cycles support this process; you cannot lose what is truly yours. — By Victoria Emory

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Your approach to future goals has expanded this year. Previous frameworks of thought have evolved, and you’ve developed a higher level of perception. Key relationships in your community could factor directly in to what you hope to achieve, and after months of rumination, you should have a clearer sense as to how to proceed. A new start in such relationships is possible now, and you’ll do well to look at the history between you through that lens of greater wisdom now available. Communications in general, especially with allies you may have lost touch with, or involving long-term projects that have been on hold, are powerfully supported now. Express yourself as honestly as you can, with generosity of spirit and self-confidence. This might require transcending idealized scenarios, or insecurities you’ve held in the back of your mind. If writing is on your agenda, get real about discipline. You’ve got a message to deliver that will benefit others — trust your need to do so. Just strive for clarity; first within, then without. — By Victoria Emory

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Momentum is set to pick up this week regarding professional matters. If projects or negotiations have been hanging in mid-air, you should be quite well positioned to move forward and advance your interests. You’ll be most effective, however, when bringing your fine-tuned sensitivity to all communications. Your drive to succeed is intense, but potential ego clashes can be avoided with a little diplomatic intelligence. Feel into the environment and be very honest with yourself about your objectives. Brainstorming about creative ideas may indeed prove worthwhile, but the more methodical an approach you can take, the less power you’ll waste by getting side-tracked by fantasies or risky schemes. Relationships with employers or other authorities connected with your career seem especially highlighted this week, and it’s possible to establish new frameworks within which to operate. A metamorphosis in your relational environment overall is just getting started, but if recent fireworks caught you off guard, Uranus’ upcoming retrograde should tamp down that heat for a while, giving you plenty of time to adjust. — By Victoria Emory

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Jupiter resumes forward motion in your sign this week, with the house most conducive to their expression hosting a fiery power-panel of planets. The flow between them is electric, and when Mercury ignites that rocket the same day, you’re headed into a few weeks of Super-Sagg. With an encouraging wind at your back, the quest for truth hits Mach speed and adventure calls. It’s a rare, peak season for rewarding travel and study. The seeker of knowledge faces many tests along the path, however, and this epic year has delivered. Over-arching themes include freedom versus security, and withstanding the tension of evolving values and self-identity. Another challenge is trickier to pin down, and may be the hardest of all: to remain open without falling for tempting illusions. The process is deeply personal, and for a while longer, understand that you’re traversing a type of liminal realm.  You’ll emerge soon enough, with greater clarity and understanding. Note the terrain, and trust that the journey is worth it. — By Victoria Emory

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’re plenty familiar by now with the challenging side of Saturn’s conjunction with Pluto in your sign: the weighted, serious introspection; confrontation with unconscious shadows and drives, the works. But as your tribe knows instinctively, where there’s challenge, there’s reward. And the immense evolutionary rewards include the kind of wisdom gained only through deep exploration of inner dimensions; intimate self-knowledge; psychic transformation. This week some juicy juju provides powerful support to help tap these rewards. Jupiter’s whispering guidance to your inner being from off stage, and this benevolent teacher’s direct station lines up with your psychic receiver to turn that volume way up. To maximize reception, take time out and intentionally relax your body, quiet your mind and tune in. Gently turn your focus inward and try to let go. If you haven’t remembered dreams lately, just thinking about doing so helps. This is a dialogue between You and you; fortifying nutrition for your psyche and soul, that will serve your progress down the road. — By Victoria Emory

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Complex astrology this week expresses in your chart through exciting alignments between your cherished goals for the future and meaningful relationships that help you achieve them. Projects you may have been hoping for, or which required the right people, might spark to life to the mutual benefit of all. Conditions are very right for meeting friends who will help you realize ambitions, and more — who you relate to as part of the same tribe, in the sense of shared ideals. The light turns green under fortunate skies, so get ready to roll and get out there. A note to the wise: whatever’s involved has enormous creative potential, but keep an eye on any fuzziness around the financial component. Tension exists between needs and dreams. It’s also possible that a friend may become something more this week, or an intimate partnership gets re-negotiated. You’re integrating revolutionary changes in the deepest strata of your being: your roots; your past; your home. This is a work in progress. — By Victoria Emory

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You’ve had a vision of something of great significance that you’ve wanted to manifest in the world. It may seem as if that vision has drifted beyond your ability to actualize, and slippery friction has made gaining traction toward achieving that goal a genuine challenge. The time has come to banish self-doubt, however; to summon your will and get clear with yourself about how to make that dream real. Jupiter’s direct station this week can re-ignite faith in your power to do so, and you seem prepared to put in the work necessary. The more you direct your attention toward organized, tangible steps, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel by what may have become an over-idealized concept that needs to be brought into focus. You can access precisely the grounded, process-oriented commitment necessary. This is your key to mastery. But you must gather your intent and actively tap into it. Assistance is available; quite possibly in the form of allies you respect, who recognize your talent and potential. — By Victoria Emory

Aries (March 20-April 19) — New Moons usually represent a fresh start, the dawning of a new cycle. For you, yesterday’s Leo conjunction may feel significantly more along that theme than usual, though it could take at least a few days before you’re experiencing this fully. At first you might simply feel restless; though underneath all that is creative energy waiting to be expressed and given an appropriate direction. Look for ways in which you might gather your inherent power more cohesively, as opposed to diffusing it. Part of the challenge here is to be sure you are keeping honest with yourself; that is, living as you, rather than constantly playing roles.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Uranus in your sign continues to fuel the drive within you for changes and newness. Yet at this moment you may find yourself confronted by old habits, temptations or problems, which might seem to have been commissioned to get in your way. Remember that the only real agent in this business, and the only one who can make the determination to move forward or remain stuck, is you. Where your life path is concerned, your will is the deciding factor; yours the choice to wield your strength or give it away. However much easier it may feel to drop all resistance and remain stagnant, in the end the spirit of the Awakener is sure to nudge you onward.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — When you’re doing what you do best, and doing it well, it’s pretty much inevitable that at some stage you’ll attract attention. You might even receive some criticism, which is a normal result of being noticeable. Nobody can please everyone all the time; that is the goal of those who blend in and are too afraid to do otherwise. Where a vocation exists, that point is moot, and boldness becomes requisite. Keep being yourself, and developing and sharing your gift, even if that means stepping out of the shadows and into the full, warm light of the midday Sun.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — It’s likely you’re experiencing something similar to an urge to leap from your seat and put the world to rights pronto. This may feel a bit like riding a spirited horse: so long as you have a good seat and a grip on the reins, you can make use of the inspiration to carry you to new and interesting places. Just don’t lose your sense of direction, which really means your reason or your moral compass. In many respects this is a refreshing beginning, as well as a chance to heal thoroughly from certain former hurts; you may well look back on this moment as the time you transcended what you had believed were your limits.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — These days it’s very easy to be distracted, to give in when things seem to be getting a little difficult, to put aside higher ideals and remain half-asleep. Yet, however tempted you might feel to do the same, you know this is no way for a human being to exist. The recent New Moon in your sign is having something of a rousing effect, compelling you to hear the calling of your moral center. If you pay attention to your instincts, you will probably find they resemble searchlights in getting to the relevant information. When in doubt, use these resources. For now, at least, you are the example others need.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You’re gradually working your way to a sense of being complete in yourself. One crucial aspect of this is honoring the scope of actions and perspectives of which you are capable. It is all too easy to fence oneself in with arbitrary barriers, and this could be a particular challenge for you in the weeks to come. Keep attuned to your nobler thoughts and sentiments; remember that your word is your bond, and hold yourself firmly to that standard. Watch for the times you feel as though an idea or task is beyond you; ask yourself why. There may be considerable material to work with in the answer.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Potentially a good rule of thumb for you this week would be: Beware of assumptions. Obviously this is a useful guide for anyone at any time. However, as Mercury gets up to speed you may face specific scenarios in which the information available to you is subtly incomplete, or appears to be tending to a self-evident conclusion. In these circumstances, tread with the utmost care, especially if you’re under pressure to reach a decision. Bear with any discomfort or discontent this might raise, and keep probing and checking until you are conscientiously satisfied there is no more to be revealed.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You may find yourself being drawn this week into conflicts at work, or in the wider arena of your career goals. Your charts are suggesting that you need to take the higher option and act with wisdom, measure and maturity. This can be difficult in the face of provocation; it can be maddeningly tempting to mimic the pettiness or carping of others, or be enraged by injustice, whether real or perceived. In a situation like this, where perhaps tempers are running high all round, it doesn’t necessarily matter who’s right in the strictest sense. If you keep hold of your reason and compassion, it will almost certainly be to your credit.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Though Mercury has already stationed direct, your ruler Jupiter is still preparing to change course in your sign. It’s doing so conjunct a deep-space point known as the Great Attractor, which can represent polarization. If you’re finding yourself pondering a dilemma, or any problem in which there seem to be two major options, you might want to hold the press for a few weeks. There’s more than likely to be a hidden third option or a multitude of them, or a new way of looking at the question that you hadn’t previously considered. Give the fog a chance to clear.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Given the rather potent astrology in a sensitive area of your chart, not to mention the ongoing build-up in your own sign, it would be unsurprising if you’re experiencing some self-doubt, or some form of profound questioning. At least in part, this is more than likely due to a fluctuating environment: that is, people changing their minds, things turning out differently from how they first appeared, or tempers being ruffled. Firstly, try to step back; avoid fighting any battles that aren’t yours, and recognize when an issue isn’t really about you. Secondly, stay true to your principles. In times of crisis, they are your best refuge.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If someone close to you appears to be picking fights, you may well feel more than justified in diving in and dishing out what might seem self-evidently their due. Yet before you do that, it’s advisable to slow down, take a breath and consider. Especially with online contact, misunderstandings can be rife; and once the whorl of conflict begins, it’s hard to stop. That’s even more the case when old hurts are touched, inadvertently or not. If you’re inclined to respond viscerally to a comment, pause and notice where that might be coming from. Above all, be completely sure there are grounds for offense before you take it.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — If an ongoing issue seems rather knotty at close range, you may benefit from reviewing it at a distance. Once Mercury has picked up its pace again, this could include literal distance; if a journey is not possible, at minimum carve out a bit of you-time and do something different. Where you can, disconnect from the world wide web for a space; the internet has the effect of stretching and fraying one’s nerves until it seems peace is at a premium. Do be sure, though, to carry with you some means of recording creative or interesting thoughts; once a dam or two is removed, they are likely to start flowing fast.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Your life the past few months may have reminded you of the movie version of The Drama of the Gifted Child. While a series of challenging Mars transits and a pair of eclipses are behind us, you are still in sensitive territory. This may seem to be about other people, though it’s just as much about you. It will help if you don’t dwell on any sense of loss, but rather collect yourself in the present, and get a handle on what you want to do. You know that certain domestic or emotional situations cannot sustain themselves the way they’ve been going. The essence of the matter is that you need to be less emotionally involved, and more distant from circumstances that keep drawing you in. What you’ve learned lately has given you plenty of reason for doing so, though the decision must come from the emotional level if you want it to stick. Meanwhile, ask yourself of anything you do not like: how am I benefitting?

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Be conscious of give and take, whoever is on whatever side of the equation. Strive for balance. While few exchanges are mathematically equal, it will help you and everyone else if you make sure that to some degree, resources and goodwill are flowing in both directions, and to any third parties who have needs you’re aware of. Keep a sense of proportion and do your part to make sure everyone is taken care of, as best you can. Recent (and still developing) events are calling on you to have both a longer-range view of your life, and a much wider perspective. It is too easy for you to take a narrow view of matters that call for an encompassing one. Try to do this voluntarily, so that you don’t have to be shocked into awakening. The message may come to you one of many ways, though the essence will always be to extend your imagination further, and wider.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Financial matters come into focus as Mercury and the Sun approach a conjunction in Cancer. The problem you may confront over and over again is why certain people feel more powerful than you, or have any influence over your affairs. This is likely to involve your monetary independence: having your own money, and using it as you see fit. Yet there is also likely to be a matter of sexual power involved, and the way you can get drawn into someone’s tractor beam. In those situations, finances may be a ruse, when the real point of contact is closer to the emotional and biological level. It’s likely you’ve seen these situations for what they are over and over again; taking heed is not so easy, if you feel like hormonal forces are limiting your ability to think rationally. You know what is helpful and what is not; the question is whether you believe your own truth.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Keep a handle on your affairs, gently. Mercury retrograde has made its way into your sign. While your worst fears are unlikely to be valid, there will be something of a chaos factor as Mercury approaches a square aspect with Eris. This is most likely to manifest as confusion, so you want to think in structured ways. For example, that means checking your facts before you release something to the public, or assert it as true in a personal context. Be mindful of the actual numbers where financial situations are concerned. You are in a position where others can draw you into a space where you feel emotionally dominated, or like your options are limited. It’s your role to keep your mind open to your own possibilities, and to recognize what is not true for you. This is unlikely to come with a big defensive reaction; more likely, you will observe when the facts don’t add up, or when someone’s position is untenable for you. Move along gently.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Mars and Juno in your sign are urging you to take a fair-minded approach to life. Avoid any tendency to keep score in your relationships. Instead, be as generous as you can. Take up the causes of people who are getting the short end of the stick, which means using your position to advocate for others in need. Meanwhile, there would seem to be something you are struggling to resolve or let go of. It will help if you take a more realistic approach to this situation, which has its roots in the distant past. Make a deep inquiry into whether you think something has the power to hurt you, and why you believe that. There is a rigid quality you are struggling to transcend, though that cannot be done with flights of the imagination. You cannot dream your way out of anything, though you can certainly use your abundant creativity and problem solving ability. This will be easier if you take a little more time to yourself.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Recent events, back to late spring, have been encouraging you to widen your aperture and let in a little more light. You have a way of seeing worst-case scenarios as the most realistic ones, and then compensating with a Pollyanna approach to the solution. There’s a lot of fertile, interesting territory to explore in between the two positions, and that is where you want to roam around. Life is not just a matter of hope and fear. It’s about building your ideas into tangible reality, which takes sustained effort. It also calls for relationships with people who are supportive of who you are and what you want to do. It’s not always easy to steer clear of unsupportive people, particularly if you think you owe them something. But it’s a skill you will benefit greatly from mastering sooner rather than later.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — It would appear that one of your most important projects the past couple of months has been cultivating a deeper level of independence. That mainly means emotional freedom and self-affirmation, but also control over your physical spaces. You simply must feel at home in your own skin, your own home, and whatever you call your family. Because part of your nature is to be so dependent upon your family structure, this may not be easy, though you’ve seen the benefits of giving yourself some distance. Yet that alone will not get you where you want and need to be. Your own physical space — a bit more than a room of your own, though that’s a start — is essential. It’s only in your own space that you can actually feel yourself, think in peace, and respond to your own needs. While not always possible, it’s certainly not impossible, if you structure your time and resources and focus the goal.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — It’s likely that you need to change your mind about someone or something. This energy tends to build up in your life like tectonic plates pressing against one another, then it releases in a personal earthquake. You can take a calmer, easier approach, and reflect on whether you’re being realistic about some of the more important facets of your existence. That said, the whole notion of “realistic” has fallen into hard times, and you may feel an urgency around blowing it sky high and just going with the waves of your emotions. That’s not going to serve you very well, though. Flexibility is not about gushing, or swirling around in the currents. Observe yourself carefully. Notice what you need to change, and make the adjustments from the inside rather than in outer appearance. Also, there seems to be something from the past you are desperately trying to forget. You might flip that around, and make a point of remembering.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Are you feeling any better about yourself? I hope so, after all you’ve been through, all the pressure you’ve been under, all the changes you’ve endured. The takeaway has been that if you want to have your relationships on something closer to your own terms, you must negotiate that as a conscious act. If you don’t, you won’t know your own position or point of view. By that I mean one benefit of negotiating is figuring out what you want and what you need. Sure, it helps to go into any discussion with an idea of this, though your values are changing fast. So you will need to discover where you’re coming from as you move along. Due to the long-term effect of Jupiter square Neptune, which will last for a couple more months, you must be careful not to make any promises you cannot keep.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You have a more potent impact on others than you may imagine, and they are more sensitive to you than you’ve noticed. Please honor that and be gentle with those who care about you — and with one person in particular. You may not recognize the degree to which your position seems to be set in concrete, or that others perceive you as intractable. This is not so much about compromising in the sense of finding a halfway point, but rather about actually feeling what another person is feeling, whether you think it’s right or wrong. Be cautious of any situation where you seem to have power over someone, whether it’s emotional, sexual, financial or professional. Assert, with your actions, that others have the right to make decisions, and give them all the space to do so. We live in times when “everything is about power,” though this is not a healthy position for you to take.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may be wondering whether something is a short-term thing or a long-term thing. Neither applies, since everything is what it is now. Regarding duration, the only question you need to ask yourself is the nature of your commitment, rather than that of someone else. Others will demonstrate their loyalty to you, or not. They will express their desire to get along with you by being easy and kind. You don’t want a contract; you want to have experiences, and gently evaluate the relationship or partnership based on what you learn from them. It would be nice if more of the world took more of this approach, based less on expectations and promises, and more on experiences. This is not an easy position to take for insecure humans, who so often seem content to stand on the ground of their hopes. But you can do a lot better than that, for you, and anyone you care about.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Keep your creativity going. Mars is pushing you to succeed and get the job done and done well (and all of that), though you will benefit greatly from immersing yourself in your art, and whatever gives you pleasure. Take the time to do it; use that Martian “get it done” energy to work ahead of your schedule, so you clear some free time. Delegate what you can to anyone who can do the job as well as you. Your best ideas will flow when you leave some time around them, meaning, leaving some slack in your schedule and taking as much time alone as you need. Socializing and romantic relationships are not typically good for creative endeavors. You don’t need anyone’s permission to do what you want and need to do, though it will be helpful if you’re open about your intentions. Balance is possible, but lean in the direction of investing in your own cause, whatever it might be.